“I know why you’re really here, vampire,” she stated. Her voice was little more than a whisper but it seemed to echo endlessly around us.
I realized then that I had never truly witnessed the height of her power. The night she faced down Rhiannon, she hadn’t even delved into the well that filled her. Right now, in this moment, I was seeing the true face of Ava Amaris and it was blinding in both beauty and ferocity.
“When I told you that I needed no protection, I did not lie,” she continued, moving toward me, an unnatural wind lifting the ends of her hair and tugging at the flimsy robe she wore. “I’m not arrogant nor am I weak. When the witch returns, this is who she will face.”
Ava stopped in front of me, close enough that I could feel the lash and withdrawal of her power as it swirled around her. Strangely, it didn’t hurt. In fact, it was warm and nearly comforting. Like I had finally come home.
Mesmerized, I lifted a hand and slid the tips of my fingers along her cheek. The magic glowed just beneath her pale skin, bringing a golden cast to her face. I could feel tendrils of power curling around my fingers and hand, holding me as though her magic wanted to bring me closer. Ava faltered slightly then, her lips parting as she stared up at me.
Abruptly, she pulled the power back into her body. The light and wind that whirled around us vanished without a sound.
“You’re incredible,” I murmured, studying her face with new eyes.
She blinked rapidly for a moment before replying, “Thank you.”
I couldn’t control the jerk at the corner of my mouth. I wanted to smile at her obvious surprise, but I didn’t think that would be the best reaction at the moment.
It was my turn to be surprised when Ava lifted her hand and covered mine where it touched her cheek. Her movement pressed my palm more fully against her flesh and she leaned into my touch.
Her gaze remained on mine when she asked, “Do you understand now?”
I nodded. “I do, but I’m still not going anywhere.”
Instead of the irritation I expected, Ava smiled softly. “I thought you might say that.”
“But I think I’ll stand behind you when Rhiannon shows up,” I joked. “You can protect me for a change.” I couldn’t control my smile when she laughed lightly. It was the first exchange between us that felt comfortable. Usually our conversations were rapid-fire, almost adversarial, and fraught with sexual tension.
She released my hand and moved away, back toward the coffee sitting on the counter.
“And Ava?”
She glanced over her shoulder at me, waiting for me to continue.
“I take my coffee with cream.”
She nodded and took a step toward the fridge. I went back to preparing breakfast, deep in thought.
Despite all that Ava had just revealed to me, that damn itch on my back hadn’t faded at all. If anything it was growing stronger.
Rhiannon was coming for us both and I knew without a doubt that it would be in a way we wouldn’t anticipate and when we least expected it. She knew Ava was more powerful. Her attack wouldn’t be straightforward. No, she would come at us from an angle that would allow her to remain unseen for as long as possible.
